Statement of Chere Rexroat, Acting Architect & Chief Engineer

Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request, Architect of the Capitol 

Legislative Branch Subcommittee

Committee on Appropriations

United States House of Representatives

March 28, 2023

Chairman Amodei, Ranking Member Espaillat, and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you 

for the opportunity to present the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget for the Architect of the Capitol 

(AOC). We are committed to working closely with you, your staff, and the Committee on House 

Administration (CHA) to ensure the AOC meets the needs and expectations of the House

community. 

We are truly grateful for the agency’s hard-working, mission-focused employees who get the job 

done every day in order to support the functions of Congress, the Supreme Court and the Library 

of Congress (Library).

I joined the AOC in 2018 serving as the Deputy Chief Engineer and became the Chief Engineer 

in July 2022. The Office of the Chief Engineer’s (OCE) mission is to provide consolidated 

services across the AOC for safe and efficient project delivery including maintenance of critical 

infrastructure. OCE is predominantly known for planning, programming, design, acquisition, and 

execution of the agency's major construction projects, listed in the budget submission as the lineitem construction program (LICP).

Serving as the Acting Architect over this past month has been a privilege. I began my tenure by

meeting with Committee staff to understand their concerns, issues and priorities. I have also met 

with AOC staff to reestablish trust and confidence in leadership and ensure they know they are 

valued for their excellent work. I am equally committed to open and timely communication to 

be transparent and accountable, guaranteeing coordination with this Subcommittee, Congress, 

and internal entities, such as the AOC Inspector General.

I. Overview

The AOC supports the day-to-day operations of Congress, the Supreme Court and the Library. 

Every day, more than 2,400 AOC employees are responsible for preserving and maintaining 

more than 18.4 million square feet of facilities, 570 acres of grounds, and thousands of works of 

art. Around the clock, our team is working to preserve these historic buildings and improve the 

aging infrastructure for the benefit of future generations. At the same time, we are working 

tirelessly to upgrade our capabilities and facilities to meet current needs.

The FY 2024 budget request of $1.128 billion represents a 14.5 percent decrease from the 

FY 2023 enacted appropriation. The requested funding supports critical program investments in 

physical security, safety and facility management priorities. The FY 2024 request also includes 

funding for major events which require significant planning, coordination, and resources, such as 

the next Presidential inauguration. The AOC’s top budget requests are security, safety and 

accountability.
II. Prioritizing Physical Security & Safety

Physical security and safety are necessary priorities. With the support of this Committee, the 

AOC has made significant progress to improve the security posture across campus. The AOC 

continues to focus on projects prioritized in the comprehensive physical security assessment 

completed last year. As part of this process, the AOC is on track to implement consistent security 

standards across the Capitol campus. The FY 2024 budget request reflects the ongoing 

coordinated approach for projects, including repairing and replacing security kiosks, vehicle

barriers, and other protective measures throughout the Capitol campus. Moreover, in 

coordination with the United States Capitol Police (USCP), and the House and Senate Sergeant 

at Arms, the AOC stands ready to respond to any developing requirements.

The overall safety of the AOC workforce, as well as everyone who works or visits here, is 

another significant priority. Across the agency, we dedicate time and attention to training, 

procedures and supervision to ensure our workforce operates safely. This budget request 

addresses essential areas of need, including fire alarm system upgrades, code deficiencies and 

system failure risks. One example of aging utility infrastructure is deteriorating concrete and 

piping components supporting the campus. These components demand immediate attention to 

avoid service interruptions or failures. 

III. Supporting the House Community

The AOC’s FY 2024 budget request contains significant priorities for the House office buildings 

and House operations. In close consultation with this Subcommittee and CHA, the FY 2024 

budget request reflects the most critical priorities for the House office buildings and House 

operations. 

The Cannon House Office Building Renewal project is in its final phase. Preserving historic 

spaces in the Cannon House Office Building presented unique challenges while working to 

ensure we maintain historic integrity. Current manufacturing, cost escalations, and skilled labor 

availibility impacted the Cannon Renewal’s budget when the final phase was awarded last 

summer. During this final phase, the AOC will complete the work to improve the quality and 

reliability of critical building systems and infrastructure. The building is now more accessible, 

efficient, and adaptable for the needs of Congress to include more usable space on the fifth floor.

At the start of the 118th Congress, the AOC’s House Office building team completed 244 

Member office moves. During this time, the AOC worked concurrently to improve energy 

efficiency and safety, installing thousands of LED tubes and hundreds of new electrical switches. 

Looking ahead, planning is underway to modernize Rayburn and Longworth House Office 

Buildings. We are also planning to devote resources to the deferred maintenance, systems and 

capital renewal requirements for each facility.

Beyond existing measures, the AOC continues to further evaluate strategies to reduce single-use 

plastics and expand sustainable measures. In FY 2022, we recycled over 426 tons of nonconstruction waste, including 231 tons of paper and cardboard; 60 tons of pre-consumer 
compostable materials and cooking oil; 11 tons of mixed plastic, metal and glass containers; and 

5.5 tons of used toner cartridges and electronic waste. 

IV. Modern Management of Aging Infrastructure 

Aging facilities and infrastructure present a variety of challenges and concerns. In the past three 

years, supply chain shortages, raw material cost increases, and the competition for skilled 

laborers added to the difficulty of addressing existing deficiencies. The AOC’s funding request 

addresses an array of essential issues, including roof replacement and installation of emergency 

generators. Implementing an asset management system will allow the AOC to prioritize work 

through data-driven decisions. This program will provide a disciplined, consistent approach to 

annual inspections based on the average lifecycle of critical infrastructure elements. This longterm strategy will address existing backlog and deferred maintenance requirements. 

Over the past year, AOC staff has welcomed back the public to the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) 

and the U.S. Botanic Garden (Garden). During FY 2023, the CVC has hosted over 360,000 

visitors, and with this Committee’s support, the redesigned Exhibition Hall has welcomed 

hundreds of enthusiastic students. This innovative space provides a series of new interactive 

experiences sharing the story of the U.S. Capitol and the legislative process. The new 

Democracy Lab provides a hands-on educational area with an array of activities and the staff 

offer on-site and online educational programs. In FY 2023, AOC websites, including those 

maintained by the CVC and the Garden, recorded more than 1.3 million visitors and nearly 3.5 

million pageviews.

V. Recognizing Employee Accomplishments & Meeting Mission Requirements

The AOC remains focused on initiatives to improve employee productivity and morale. For 

example, the AOC is expanding training programs at all workforce levels. Every AOC employee 

can work on professional development plans and training opportunities with their supervisor. In 

addition, the agency’s Chief Security Officer is leading the implementation of emergency 

management and resiliency training.

As the AOC strives to meet its strategic benchmarks on hiring and retention, we remain 

committed to ensure we have the appropriate training and resources for our employees to 

succeed. The majority of the AOC’s workforce is on-site to perform their essential roles and 

functions. Based on individual roles and responsibilities, we have also implemented standardized 

telework agreements that support a continuous and uninterrupted ability to serve and respond 

from anywhere, at any time.

Retention and recruitment of a talented, dedicated workforce is a key priority. To ensure that the 

AOC continues to attract and retain an exceptional workforce, we are also expanding outreach to 

educational institutions across the U.S. The AOC is intentional in ensuring it has a diverse pool 

of candidates for leadership position vacancies through extensive outreach and recruitment, 

including outreach to major professional organizations.

VI. Conclusion
On behalf of our dedicated public servants who carry out the mission every day, I appreciate the 

support provided by this Subcommittee. Your support has been essential to our daily operations, 

sustained recruitment and retention efforts, and strengthened collaboration with the Library, the 

United States Capitol Police, and the House Sergeant at Arms.

Chairman Amodei, Ranking Member Espaillat, and Members of the Subcommittee thank you for 

your time and support in consideration of the AOC’s FY 2024 budget request.